Bangkok 2016: Aston Martin DB11 makes Asia-Pacific debut

AUTO NEWS

The British marque finally unveils its flagship successor to Asia

by Aurick Go

March 23, 2016 11:38

Following more than a decade since the start of the DB9's production, Aston Martin is somewhat left lagging in terms of having an updated flagship model. While having released models such as the Vantage, Virage, and Vanquish throughout the past decade, the DB9 has stayed somewhat the same since it rolled off the lots in 2003. Now however, Aston Martin's new flagship car, the DB11 is set to make its Asia-Pacific debut at the 2016 Bangkok International Motor Show.

"(The) DB11 is the most powerful, most efficient and most dynamically gifted DB model in Aston Martin's history making it the most significant new Aston Martin since the introduction of the DB9 in 2003, and I'm extremely thrilled for the DB fans in Thailand who will be the first to experience this milestone DB model," says Mr. Komkrit Nongsawat, General Manager of Heritage Motor Sales and Services (Thailand) Co., Ltd., Aston Martin's exclusive distributor in Thailand.

Sticking true to the British marque's iconic design, the DB11, as with most models before it, looks somewhat familiar despite having numerous changes to its body. The car's design takes inspirations from models before it such as the DB2/4, DB5, and, most recently, the DB10 that recently starred in James Bond's Spectre. Of course, the DB11 is still offered in that signature grand touring layout of a long bonnet housing a big V12 motor, a slung back cabin, and power sent to the rear wheels.

Speaking of power, the new V12 sitting under the bonnet is actually smaller than the 6.0L motors often found in these cars, 5.2L to be exact. Nonetheless, the DB11's V12 pushes 608 PS and makes 700 Nm of torque thanks to a pair of turbochargers to help it along the way. The DB line, being the 'grand touring' offering of Aston Martin, will come exclusively with an 8-speed ZF automatic transmission.

More new features to improve driving dynamics include a revised electric power steering system, torque vectoring via braking, as well as some improvements with the car's adaptive damping for a more agile feel of the car.

The DB11 will be the first model released by Aston Martin under their 'second century' plan, spearheading an array of models that will follow from the 102 year-old sports car manufacturer.